Which positions have the Jets selected more than average in recent drafts?

Any loyal Jets observer knows that the offensive line has been a position group of weakness for the franchise in recent years.

Why, you might wonder? Well, the Jets haven’t spent a first round pick on an offensive lineman since picking Nick Mangold and D’Brickashaw Ferguson in 2006. They’re one of only three teams to ignore the position in the first round over that span, along with the Buccaneers and Raiders, who combine for a staggering zero playoff wins in that period.

This got me wondering; which positions have the Jets favored the most and least compared to league average?

Let’s look at the Jets’ pick distribution over their total of 68 selections over the past ten drafts (2008-2017); in which a leaguewide total of 2,539 selections have been made.

Data is from pro-football-reference.com.

QUARTERBACKS

League total selections: 117 (4.6% of all picks)

Jets total selections: 7 (10.3% of team picks: +5.7%)

RUNNING BACKS

League total selections: 237 (9.3% of all picks)

Jets total selections: 7 (10.3% of team picks: +1.0%)

WIDE RECEIVERS

League total selections: 320 (12.6% of all picks)

Jets total selections: 12 (17.6% of team picks: +5.0%)

TIGHT ENDS

League total selections: 150 (5.9% of all picks)

Jets total selections: 3 (4.4% of team picks: -1.5%)

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

League total selections: 409 (16.1% of all picks)

Jets total selections: 10 (14.7% of team picks: -1.4%)

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

League total selections: 435 (17.1% of all picks)

Jets total selections: 9 (13.2% of team picks: -3.9%)

Note: This number surprised me like it probably did you; but it’s the late rounds where the Jets have stayed further away from the DL. Their five DL picks in round one does tie them with San Francisco for the most over the span.

LINEBACKERS

League total selections: 322 (12.7% of all picks)

Jets total selections: 6 (8.8% of team picks: -3.9%)

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Cornerbacks and safeties are grouped into defensive backs at Pro-Football-Reference.

League total selections: 515 (20.3% of all picks)

Jets total selections: 13 (19.1% of team picks: -1.2%)

KICKERS AND PUNTERS

League total selections: 34 (1.3% of all picks)

Jets total selections: 1 (1.5% of all picks: +0.2%)

Here is their selection breakdown in chart form: